Providing tools for healing in the Black community has always been the goal of my dedicated work. Originally, I thought that I would work exclusively in the field of Mental Wellness--alcohol and substance, depression, anxiety, trauma…

It was not until I fully faced my own experiences with sexual trauma that I realized the need and importance of addressing sexual violence, health, and development. I knew all of the statistics concerning childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual violence. But as I gained the courage to share my stories with others, I had the opportunity to hear their own. Many Black women that I knew, be it for months or years, had experienced the discomfort of an inappropriate touch, a kiss on the cheek that lasted one second too long, feeling that her voice was not loud enough to yell “STOP”, or knowing that she did not have the physical strength to push someone off of her.

What I found even more interesting was the pattern of relationships and sexual experiences that these women were having in adulthood. There was an entire spectrum of what being a survivor of abuse and violence looked and felt like; it was beautifully diverse. This discovery empowered my voice and passion to find and understand my sexuality outside of unwanted experiences, to know that I deserve fulfillment and pleasure, to be honest with myself and others, to break away from societal expectations as a Black woman and reclaim a position of self-empowerment, and to enter a brave space that encourages stories that heal and inspire.

Afrosexology—we are here: to discuss and discover Black sexuality, relationships, identity; to dismantle oppression; to claim our bodies as unique, progressive, and sexual beings; and, to be empowered and liberated!